01-14-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE � ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING • Monday,January 14,2013 7:00 o'clock p.m. (13. POLICE CHIEF UPDATE, Continued) Farniok reported that the security upgrades at the police department have begun and are going along smoothly. Farniok indicated as part of this process,they are looking at space requirements for future needs and that he will be bringing additional information to the Council at a later date. McMillan commended Police Chief Farniok for his work with the transition. *14. REQUEST TO HIRE POLICE DEPARTMENT FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER Printup moved,Levang seconded,to approve the hiring of Jane Szczepanik as a full-time police officer at a pay rate of$25.18 per hour with a start date of January 15,2013. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. *15. REQUEST TO HIItE POLICE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Printup moved,Levang seconded,to approve the hiring of Heather Gehlen as Administrative Assistant with a starting pay of$16.62 per hour. This is a midpoint between starting pay and Step 1 in Pay Leve14 based on her past salary history,with the understanding that the next increase in pay would be to Year 1 on her anniversary. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. 16. CRYSTAL BAY POST OFFICE—RESOLUTION NO.6200 Loftus noted a meeting will be held by the Postal Service this Thursday,January 17,to answer questions and provide additional information on the proposed reduction in hours of operation. The reduced hours will not change access to the delivery receptacles. Loftus stated Council Member Printup suggested a Resolution of Support for the Crystal Bay Post Office be considered by the Council. Loftus indicated the Council may want to make some amendments to the resolution. Printup noted the Council discussed this at a work session a couple of years ago. The Crystal Bay Post Office provides a great service to the community and is an important aspect of Orono,which is why he proposed the resolution. Levang noted the Crystal Bay Post Office is a gathering place far the local residents and is included in the City's comprehensive Plan. The Post Office also helps retain the city's small town character. Levang stated she would like to recommend some changes to the resolution and proposed that the fourth whereas be amended to say: "Whereas,the Crystal Bay Post Office has been a continued presence throughout Orono history and will remain indefinitely under current use as a Crystal Bay Post Office." Levang stated in her view the City does have a commitment to that post office and that she would like to see the City acknowledge that by using the word indefinitely. Levang proposed the fifth whereas be amended to read: "Whereas,the planning goals in Orono include maintaining our local character and identity,preserving historically significant buildings and settings, and maintaining our rural small town vitality." Levang stated adding the word settings would make it more in line with the City's Comprehensive plan. Page 11 of 16